Panaxatriol saponins promotes angiogenesis and enhances cerebral perfusion after ischemic stroke in rats.

BACKGROUND: Panaxatriol saponins (PTS), an extract from the traditional Chinese herb Panax notoginseng, which has been used to treat ischemic stroke for many years in China. However, the mechanism underlying the effects of PTS remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether PTS can protect against ischemic brain injury by promoting angiogenesis and to explore the possible mechanism by which it promotes angiogenesis. METHODS: Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was induced in rats, and neurological deficit scores and brain infarct volumes were assessed. Micro-Positron emission tomography (PET) was adopted to assess cerebral perfusion, and real-time PCR and western blotting were used to evaluate vascular growth factor and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway component levels. Immunofluorescence staining was used to determine capillary densities in ischemic penumbrae. RESULTS: We showed that PTS improved neurological function and reduced infarct volumes in MCAO rats. Micro-PET indicated that PTS can significantly increase 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-PDG) uptake by ischemic brain tissue and enhance cerebral perfusion after MCAO surgery. Moreover, PTS was able to increase capillary densities and enhance angiogenesis in ischemic boundary zones and up-regulate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) expression by activating the Shh signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that PTS exerts protective effects against cerebral ischemic injury by enhancing angiogenesis and improving microperfusion.

[Effects of Tongnao Huoluo acupuncture therapy on Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 of rats with acute cerebral infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of Tongnao Huoluo acupuncture therapy (THAT) on Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 rats with acute cerebral infarction (ACI). METHODS: Totally 264 SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e. the THAT group (n =72), the thrombolysis group (n =72), the body acupuncture group (n =72), the ischemia control group (n =24), and the sham-operation group (n =24). Successfully modeled rats were recruited in all groups except the sham-operation group. Rats in the THAT group, the thrombolysis group, and the body acupuncture group were divided into 3 subgroups according to the disease occurrence time, i.e., < or = 1.5 h THAT group, 1.5+ -2 h THAT group, and 2+ -3 h THAT group. The neuroethological scores were assessed at 6, 24, and 72 h after treatment. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 were detected using immunohistochemical staining at 24 and 72 h respectively. RESULTS: In aspect of improving scores of neurological functions: At 6 h after treatment within 2 h after the disease occurrence, the neuroethological scores were lowered more obviously in the thrombolysis group than in the THAT group (P <0.05). There was statistical difference at 24 and 72 h within 2 - 3 h after the,disease occurrence between the THAT group and the thrombolysis group (P <0.05). Compared with before treatment, there was statistical difference at 24 and 72 h within 3 h after the disease occurrence (P <0. 05, P <0.01). In aspect of lowering the expression of Caspase-3 and elevating the expression of Bcl-2: There was statistical difference in lowering the expression of Caspase-3 and elevating the expression of Bcl-2 between the THAT group and the thrombolysis group at 72 h within 2 -3 after the disease occurrence (P <0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: THAT showed favorable effects in lowering neuroethological scores, lowering expression of Caspase-3, and elevating the expression of Bcl-2 of ACI rats.

[Systematic reviews on efficacy and safety of beclomethasone nasal spray in the treatment of chronic adenoid hypertrophy in children].

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the efficacy and safety of beclomethasone nasal spray in the treatment of chronic adenoid hypertrophy in children. METHODS: We computerized searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (issue1, 009), MEDLINE (1950 to August 2008), EMbase (1984 to August 2008), CNKI (1994 to September 2008), and VIP (1989 to August 2008), WANFANG DATA, Annual Review-s and Elsevier Science. Also the reference lists of all papers were identified for further trials. All searches were initially performed in May 2007 and updated in April 2009.Randomized controlled trials (RCT) and quasi-RCTs were identified and analyzed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. RESULTS: Three RCT were included. Meta-analysis was not performed due to heterogeneity and the data were summarized in a narrative format. The trials showed that higher doses of beclomethasone (336 microg/d, 400 microg/d) might improve the nasal obstruction symptoms and reduce adenoid size in children with adenoid hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Higher and subsequently half doses of beclomethasone (336 microg/d, 400 microg/d) can improve the nasal obstruction symptoms in children with adenoid hypertrophy.The improvement appears to be associated with a reduction of adenoid size. Because of a lack of the RCT, further studies are required to support the use of beclomethasone as a first-line approach for these children.

[Treatment of traumatic pseudoaneurysm through completely embolizing siphon section of internal carotid artery].

OBJECTIVE: Pseudoaneurysm in siphon section of internal carotid artery (ICA) caused by craniocerebral trauma was diagnosed and totally embolized by applying digital subtraction angiography (DSA) technique, with satisfactory results. The clinical application of this technique was discussed. METHODS: The patients suffered from craniocerebral trauma with serious epistaxis were managed in our hospital by DSA. The patients with pseudoaneurysm in ICA were chosen from them. The circular function of Willis circulus in these patients were checked. If it was good, the ICA was totally embolised. RESULTS: Among 32 patients suffered from craniocerebral trauma with serious epistaxis, 6 patients were definitely diagnosed by DSA to have pseudoaneurysm. The embolism was performed in 5 of them. Among these 5 patients, 4 cured, and 1 died. The patient who could not be embolized also died. CONCLUSION: The pseudoaneurysm definitely diagnosed by DSA can be treated by embolizing siphon section of internal carotid artery completely, after checking the compensatory function of side branches in Willis circulus.